MICK McCarthy today hailed the resurgence of midfield maestro Seyi Olofinjana as a Premiership player in Championship clothing.

The Nigerian international appeared to suffer the after-effects of competing in the African Cup of Nations and on his initial re-appearance was substituted after 40 minutes of the FA Cup defeat at Cardiff.

But having returned to the starting line-up for the last two victories against Burnley and Scunthorpe, Olofinjana’s return to form has been welcomed by McCarthy ahead of tomorrow’s visit of QPR.

“Seyi is a top player - a Premiership player,” said McCarthy. “He is arguably the best player we have got in terms of effectiveness in doing his job, maybe in the league.

“I was never worried he could play as well as he did but prior to going away to a major tournament you have a nagging doubt.

“You don’t want to get injured - I am not saying for one minute that consciously you take the foot off the gas but you are going to play for your country and it does have an effect.

“Then you are away for six or eight weeks and when you come back it’s a big downer. I know because I have been there, seen it and done it.

“When you come back from a World Cup or European Championships you go and lie on a beach, drink beer and watch the world go by for three weeks.

“These lads that have come back from the African Cup of Nations are straight back into it and that has to have an effect.

“All that psychological preparation of getting yourself up for it and then getting knocked out when they thought they should have won it must knock the stuffing out of you and getting back here and going to Blackpool and Cardiff is not the same.

“Seyi needed a break and some time away from it and it has been proven. We all want footballers to just switch it on and off but there are reasons and mitigating circumstances. There is no coincidence there that we have played well and won two games.”